'They were rugby-tackling foals - now head collars are on the day they're born'

The 'R' word is one to use gently around Walter and Fran Cowe, who began what could be more politely described as the next chapter of their lives seven years ago by emigrating to South Africa.

The Scottish-born couple run Black Swan Stud, just outside Robertson in the Western Cape, and their resident stallion Elusive Fort seems the perfect accomplice for the more relaxed atmosphere.

He arrived in 2020 from the closing-down Klipdrif Stud, just prior to the emergence of one of the sport’s great underdog stories. Kommetdieding, Elusive Fort’s best son, is known as 'the people’s champion', having been bought for just R45,000 (£2,100/€2,400) at the sales.